WALTHAM -- On Media Day, random questions are bound to pop up. This year, one that got a rousing response was whether or not newcomer Keyon Dooling had talked to Ray Allen about their scuffle back in 2006.
Rewind: At the time, Allen played for the Seattle SuperSonics and Dooling was a member of the Orlando Magic. Allen elbowed Dooling, who pushed Allen to the ground, and the fight spilled into the courtside seats. Dooling later tried to chase after Allen in the hallway to the locker room. There were suspensions and ejections, but thats all in the past now.
The Sonics? Is that even a team anymore? Dooling responded. So thats ancient history. I mean, at the end of the day when Ray and I saw each other the next time after the fight, we had a conversation and we embraced each other. At the end of the day, it was the heat of the battle and I have a lot more respect for him. I know he has a lot more respect for me. Sometimes you know a man better when you fight.
But hes been nothing but a phenomenal influence since Ive been here. Ive had a chance to spend some time with him over the summer with some of the union business. So Im just looking forward to being here and being a part of this organization.
While Dooling and Allen are trying to win for the same team now, who got the W back then?
Nobody wins in a basketball fight, Dooling said. The NBA won. They got all the fine money. They always win, right?